John Strong

Sunday, September 5, 2021, John Edward Strong, loving husband and father passed away in Upton at the age of 59. John was born April 30, 1962 to George and Alice Strong. He was the youngest of ten children. John graduated from Upton High School in 1981. He married Laurie Boyles and to this union two children were born, Roberta Paulette and Tristan Lee. Roberta passed away in November of 1984 from SIDS. Laurie and John were later divorced. John went to work at American Colloid Company. In 1982, he joined the Upton Fire Department. July 8, 1993, John married SuEllen Bailey. He later adopted Melissa and Jenny. After American Colloid shut down, he became a Wildland Fire Fighter. He was often gone throughout the summer, fighting fire in places all over the country including Alaska, California, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, South Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico and Florida. While in Florida, he helped with Hurricane Katrina relief. John also worked for Dean Strong at K&D Perforators. Over the last few years, he worked for Sam Haptonstall. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed gardening, yard work, shooting, technology, and playing cards and bingo at the Upton Senior Center. But most of all, fighting fire. He was proceeded in death by his parents, George and Alice Strong; his mother and father-in-law, Lloyd and Ellen Bailey; daughter Roberta Strong; sister Wilma Strong; brothers George and Jerry Strong; several aunts and uncles and his Grandma Hazel Ames. John is survived by his wife, SuEllen Strong; daughters Melissa Ragsdale of Casper, WY, and Jenny (Evan) Strong of Gilcrest, CO; son Tristan Brown of Denver, CO; grandson Jerex Lorenz; granddaughters Teagyn and Brecklyn Ragsdale; sisters Joyce (Sam) Haptonstall of Upton and Kathy (Jerry) Tarter of Boise, ID; brothers David (Wendy) Strong, Dean (Sonia) Strong, Cecil (Paulette) Strong and Steve Strong of Upton, WY; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and a very great and special friend/ bonus son, Ryan Stenberg.  Funeral arrangement will Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. at the Upton Elementary School in Boal Auditorium with a reception to follow in the gymnasium. Memorials may be made to the Upton Fire Department.